Ray, who went on to play for Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur and England in a historic career, sadly died from prostate cancer in November last year after a long fight with the disease and the club supported the charity at this fixture with awareness messages, a bucket collection before the game and the auction of the match-worn shirt.
Members of Ray’s family were presented with a framed shirt on behalf of the football club and his wife, Vee Clemence, said: “Thank you so much for honouring Ray. It was a wonderful and very emotional day and we as a family felt very proud to be at the club where Ray started his amazing football career.”
The club was granted permission for goalkeeper Rory Watson to wear a special edition version of the current home goalkeeper shirt which featured a sublimated signature, embroidery and had no sponsors. All of United’s starting line-up emerged from the tunnel ahead of kick-off wearing the specially-made tribute shirts, and wore them for the minute’s applause which took place prior to the start of the game.
A traditional green colour with buttons and a collar, the design has been based on shirts back from when Ray began his incredible football career playing for the Iron back in the 1960’s.
Goalkeeper Watson’s match-worn shirt, along with some of the other shirts from the day, is available to bid on via the club’s official eBay page HERE with all proceeds going to Prostate Cancer UK.
Replica shirts are available to purchase direct from the club shop or online at sufcshop.com priced at £45 adults and £39 for juniors again with all profits from these sales being donated to Prostate Cancer UK.
A new banner was also paraded around the pitch ahead of kick-off by three goalkeepers from the Iron’s current Academy setup. It will take up a permanent location at the back of the East Stand alongside the Graham Taylor OBE tribute banner.